Measuring device



Jan; 11

c. c. MGGOWEN MEASURING DEVICE Filed May 16.

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Patented Jan. 11, 1927.

warren STATES CHARLES C. MCGOWEN, 01? LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

MEASURING DEVICE.

Application filed May 16, 1925. Serial No. 30,822.

This invention relates to measuring devices of that kind employed by shoe merchants to determine the size of shoes required by a prospective purchaser, and has for one of its objects the provision of a novel, simple and inexpensive device of this character which can be readily expanded or contracted and which when contracted will be of such compact form as to permit of its being conveniently carried in the pocket.

Theforegoing and other objects are attained by the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a top plan view illustrating the measuring device expanded,

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the measuring device expanded,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 33 of Figure 1, t

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the measuring device contracted,

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 4, and

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 66 of Figure 3.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and designated in the several views of the accompanying drawing, by similar reference characters.

The measuring device comprises an elongated body consisting of telescopically connected rear, intermediate and front sections 1, 2 and 3, respectively. These parts are polygonal in cross section to prevent them from having any relative rotary movement, and are provided in their top sides with longitudinally extending andalined slots 4, 5 and 6, respectively. The slot 1 is located at and opens out through the front end of the section 1, the slot 5 opens out through both ends of the section 2, and the slot 6 opens at one end out through the rear end of the section 3 and the other end thereof terminates within a short distance of the front end of this section. A heel plate 7 is pivotally connected to the rear end of the section 1, and a toe plate 8 is pivotally connected to a slide 9 mounted for movement in the slots 4-6. As indicated at 10 the upper sides of the sections 1-3 are provided with graduations common to devices of this kind.

As the sections 13 are telescopically connectcd, the body can be expanded or contracted. \Vhen the body is contracted, the slide 9 occupies a position in the slot 1 of the section 1, and the heel plate 7 and toe plate 8 occupy a folded position on said section. It will thus be seen that the device may be reduced to such compact form as to permit of its being conveniently carried in the pocket. lVhen the device is in condition for use, the body is expanded, and the heel plate 7 and toe plate 8 are arranged at right angles with respect to the body.

Spring catches 11 carried by the section 2 and engaging in openings 12 in the section 1, and similar elements 13 carried by the section 3 and engaging in openings 14- in the section 2, prevent the sections from having any relative endwise or longitudinal movement w ien the body is expanded. The catches 11 and 13 are also adapted to hold the sections 13 against casual endwise or longitudinal movement relatively when the body is contracted, and when the body is in this condition the catches 11 frictionally contact with the section 1 and the catches 13 frictionally contactwith the section 2.

The plate 7 has acurved shank 15 which extends through an opening 16 in the section 1 and which is pivotally connected as at 17 to a. plate 18 secured to said section. The

opening 16 is in the top side of the section 1, and the plate 18 is located within this section and secured to the top side thereof. hen in upright position the lower edge of the heel plate 7 contacts with the top side of the section 1, and said plate is adapted to be held in this position or in its folded posi-- tion by a spring tongue 19 carried by the plate 18 and contacting with the shank 15.

The slide 9 is provided with a central depression 20 adapted to travel in the slots 4-45 and to the under side of which is secured a retaining plate 21, the latter being located within the body and having a greater width than the slots 46. The toe plate 8 is provided with a curved shank 22 extending into the body and pivoted as at 23 to the plate 21. When the toe plate 8 is in upright position the shank 22 contacts with a stop 24 carried by the plate 21, and the toe plate is adapted to be held in this or its folded position by a spring tongue 25 carried by the plate 21 and contacting with the shank 22. The slide 9 provides a thumb or finger piece through the medium of which the toe plate 8 may be moved along the body during the use of the device.

When it is desired to reduce the size of the measuring device, it is only necessary to fold the heel plate 7 against the section 1, move the slide 9 into the slot 4 and fold the toe plate 8 against the section 1, slide the section 2 into the section 1, and slide the section 3 into the section 2. The sections may be moved one into the other by eXerting thereon sufficient force to overcome the tension of the latches 11 and 13. When it is desired to use the measuring device it is only necessary to pull the sections 1-3 apart until the latches 11 enter the openings 12 and the latches 13 enter the openings 14, and thence swing the heel plate 7 and toe plate 8 into upright position.

While I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the best en'ibodiinent thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired are within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is 1. A measuring device comprising telescopically connected sections, a heel plate pivoted to one of said sections, a spring tongue carried by said section and contacting with the heel plate, said sections being provided with slots, a slide movable in said slots, a toe plate pivoted to the slide, a spring tongue carried by the slide and contacting with the toe plate, and elements adapted to preventthe casual movement of the sections.

2. A measuring device comprising a hollow body provided in its top side with an opening and a slot, a heel plate having a curved shank extending into the body through the opening, means pivoting the inner end of the shank to the body, a slide supported by said side and movable in said slot, a toe plate provided with a curved shank extending into the body through said slot and pivoted to the slide, means holding the heel plate against casual pivotal movement, and means holding the toe plate against casual pivotal movement.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

CHARLES C. MCGOXVEN.

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